One of the best Texas Tech football players of all time, Jakeem Grant, is likely to miss the entire 2022 season after suffering an Achilles injury in practice on Tuesday. In his first season with the Cleveland Browns, Grant was set to see an increased role as a receiver while also continuing his duties as a kickoff and punt returner this season.
But now, it appears as if his season is over before it ever started. Though no official word on his status has come from the Browns, NFL insider Ian Rapoport is reporting that it is feared that Grant has torn his Achilles.
Sources: #Browns All-Pro returner and receiver Jakeem Grant is feared to have torn his Achilles in practice today. He’ll have tests to confirm, but would be an incredibly unfortunate reality.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2022
"“I really feel awful for Jakeem,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said in a statement. “We’ve witnessed how hard the young man has worked since he got to our team. We all realize injuries are a part of our game, but that doesn’t make it any easier to accept especially for someone that works as hard and carries himself like Jakeem.”"
It is an incredibly unfortunate development for the 29-year-old who signed a three-year contract with Cleveland this offseason. It was believed that the Browns had intentions of using Grant in their offense more than the Miami Dolphins (which Grant played for from 2016-2021) did. And it’s easy to see why.
Given his explosive speed, Grant has averaged 11.4 yards per catch on 100 receptions in his career. But it is as a kick returner where he’s made his living.
A two-time second-team All-Pro punt returner, Grant has averaged 10.3 yards per punt return and 24.5 yards per kickoff return. In all, he’s totaled six return TDs in his career.
Jakeem Grant carted off the field today at practice; not ideal. Hope it’s not as serious as it appears. pic.twitter.com/IwXVrbUFsk
— Cleveland Sports Fans (@CLE_SPORTS_FANS) August 9, 2022
Of course, Grant will always be beloved by Red Raider fans. The program’s all-time leading receiver, he caught 254 passes for 3,286 yards and 27 TDs from 2012-15.
But because of his diminutive size, he was not drafted until the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Dolphins. Thus far, his best season as a wide receiver in the NFL was in 2020 when he pulled in 36 passes for 373 yards and one TD.
Then, in 2021 he was traded from Miami to the Chicago Bears where he would finish the season before signing with the Browns this offseason. Now, one has to wonder if his NFL future is in jeopardy.
Achilles injuries are common in the sports world and the advancements in treatment and rehabilitation have made coming back from them more common. However, it is fair to question whether a player who relies exclusively on speed can come back from an Achilles tear at 100% of what he was before the injury. What’s more, Grant is about to turn 30 in October meaning that his age isn’t going to be on his side anymore either.
Here’s wishing Grant a speedy and full recovery from this unfortunate injury. Texas Tech football fans certainly want to see more of his electricity on Sundays in the future.